Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson reportedly wanted both the Seattle Seahawks’ head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider fired after the 2021 NFL season. This was revealed as part of a lengthy report by The Athletic that recapped Wilson’s disastrous first year with the Denver Broncos.
According to The Athletic’s sources, Wilson approached the Seahawks’ ownership shortly after the season ended with hopes of convincing them to move on from Carroll and Schneider. The request was reportedly rooted in Wilson’s belief that the duo is hampering his pursuit of additional Super Bowl wins and individual recognitions. He proposed that the franchise instead hires Sean Payton, who had just walked away from the New Orleans Saints at the time.
A few days after Wilson’s request, the Seahawks’ ownership organized a meeting of the team’s top officials. The conclusion of the meeting was that Carroll and Schneider had the full support and that Wilson was the one that needed to go. He ended up being traded to the Denver Broncos in a move that netted Seattle two first-round picks and two second-round picks, among other assets.
Shortly after The Athletic’s story got out, Wilson’s lawyers released a statement saying it is “entirely fabricated.” The player himself also denied the report on social media.
After being traded to the Broncos, Russell Wilson proceeded to have one of his worst seasons in the NFL. He threw for 3,524 yards and a career-low 16 touchdowns, while Denver went 4-11 in his 15 games as a starter. The Broncos’ poor performances caused the ownership to move on from head coach Nathaniel Hackett and later hire Payton.
